Category: Under 16s Reports

After a positive start to the game, Merton took the lead. This being our 3rd or 4th chance on goal, with the others not being on target. Charlie gambling and nodding into an empty net to give merton a deserved lead.

Merton doubled the lead with Marcin hitting his shot into the far corner.
Merton had the more possession in the first half and were unlucky not to be more up come the half time whistle.

2nd half and the message was clear! But AFC West End built up confidence in the game, creating chances from merton mistakes.

AFC West End pulling a goal back with around 20 to play.

AFC West End equalised and scored the winner in the space of 5 mins – both from free kicks after sloppy fouls.

In what was a heathy, close battle merton came out on the wrong side of the result.

Mainly a battle in midfield, that neither team wanted to lose.

A sloppy defensive error led to a penalty, which they missed. Followed by a free kick that went straight in from Harry. 1-0 to merton.

Gave became a little sloppy and the back line became shaky. Met police equalised following an error, and then took the lead following another error.

Merton battled their way back level, a well taken goal by George.

2nd half

Battle continues, both team having chances. Ollie missing a few one on ones, Kai making a few good saves.
Met police took the lead following merton pressure. But again, merton battled back. A goal by Alex from long distance.

A sloppy mistake let met police take the lead with 10 minutes to play.

The game ended on a sour note, with a disputed offside call, which ended with a second yellow and a red for Harry.

Great first win of the season. After a 0-0 draw in opening game of the season, Merton had some work to do to carry on the start made last week.

Merton started on the front foot, knocking the ball around well. Merton pressurised from the front, causing some panic in the back line of Stoneleigh. It took Stoneleigh some time to find their feet in the game, with Merton knocking the ball around well.
Limited chances in the first half, with Malcin missing the first chance.

Charlie bagged the goal of the season, battling well to get the finish in.

Merton looked shaky at the back for the remainder of the first half, Stoneleigh equalising against the run of play – through their hard work.

Half time 1-1

Second half started and Ollie looked bright, using his pace to cause trouble for the Stoneleigh backline. George working hard on the right hand side created the 2nd and the 3rd – Harry scoring a free kick on edge of the area.

Merton were solid throughout and the fourth rounded off what was a great all round performance.

Entertaining opening game, despite the result. A battle between both sides, Merton trying to improve on last season and KPR coming down from the division above.

A battle that mainly took place in midfield with it being very congested.

First half Merton edged slightly, creating more chances and were disappointed not to have been ahead at half time. Kai, our goalkeeper, pulling off 1 or 2 good saves to keep a clean sheet. We kept the ball well, under particular pressure from the opposition and moved the ball well at times.

2nd half started well, with a neat bit of play that created an opening early on in the second half. This was a game of many opportunities … however none of them clear enough to score a goal.

With many crosses entering the opposition box from our wide players, including Harry we just couldn’t convert one of the crosses.

We kept on battling to take the lead, and were nearly punished on the counter attack by a quick turnaround in possession with Kai pulling off a few more excellent saves to maintain the clean sheet.

Despite the disappointment of not winning, we take a point from a team that came from division above.